Willie Walsh, who takes over as chief executive of British Airways tomorrow, is planning a sweeping programme of job cuts across the airline's operations.

Walsh, former head of the Irish national carrier Aer Lingus, is set to implement reductions as part of BA's move to the new Terminal Five in 2008 and the ongoing application of techniques used by low-cost carriers.

Groups that are to be targeted include 1,000 call centre operatives, 2,000 check-in staff and BA's pool of bus drivers, numbering in the hundreds, who ferry pilots and cabin crew around the airport. In addition, as The Observer reported last month, the first in line for cuts will be BA's 2,500 baggage handlers. A reduction of between 10 and 15 per cent is expected.

Call centre numbers are expected to fall significantly as BA presses ahead with internet bookings, while check-in staff will be cut thanks to greater automation.

The moves will cause antagonism with unions, which are preparing to negotiate hard over any change to working conditions in Terminal Five. In August, 1,000 baggage handlers took unofficial strike action in sympathy with catering workers who were sacked by Gate Gourmet.

Unofficial strikes by check-in staff and baggage handlers, which paralysed operations at Terminal One in 2003, were triggered by attempts to alter working conditions. Pay and conditions also caused last summer's industrial action, which again disrupted flights. The dispute was ended with a three-year pay and conditions deal, which lasts until the move.

Walsh has gained a reputation as a scourge of trade unions, having cut 2,000 jobs at Aer Lingus amid bitter confrontation with Irish union Siptu.